The mission of Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation is to invest in the future of journalism by building the ethics, skills, and opportunities needed to advance principled, probing news and information now and for the future. The foundation makes grants to journalism schools and other nonprofit organizations focused on the news media.

The four program areas for the foundation are: Investigative Reporting, Professional Development, Youth Education, and Special Opportunities. Investigative Reporting and Professional Development programs are supported through programs at nonprofit and educational institutions. Youth Education is supported through programs in high schools, colleges, and graduate schools. Special Opportunities are grants provided for innovative projects that address an emerging need in journalism. Special preference is given to programs focusing on ethics and news media.

Letters will be accepted beginning two months before the deadline. An advisory committee meets periodically to review requests and recommend grants, after which distributions are made to approved recommendations.